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Updated for 2024: Saving and properly investing money tends to be the focus for people as they work toward retiring. But once you get into the retirement critical zone (within 10 to 15 years of retiring), the focus should include a withdrawal strategy. The strategy can help you keep more of what you’ve earned by […]
You’ve been saving to your workplace retirement account for your entire career. Are you about to shatter that retirement nest egg when you punch the clock for the very last time? Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA, explain your options for accessing your retirement plan savings when you leave your employer while avoiding […]
Will Duke and Daisy’s retirement spending plan work? If you’re a fan of hearing Joe and Big Al debate, you’re in luck, as they disagree on assumptions when it comes to retirement planning and withdrawals. The EASIretirement.com calculator says Chuck in South Carolina could convert even more to Roth, and the fellas spitball on the pros and cons. Plus, what should Chuck’s asset allocation be for his daughters, and how should Scott in Kansas City’s parents allocate their assets? Can Rothaholic undo his Roth conversion? Brian Fantana and his wife are in their 30s and want to retire at 60. Are they on track? Ricky in Alabama wants to avoid Medicare’s IRMAA, or income-related monthly adjustment amount. Should he spend from his IRA or from his Roth? Daniel in Whittier wants to know what exactly counts for IRMAA income, anyway? And finally, Elisa in Fremont wants to know, with the new SECURE Act 2.0 rules, when can you transfer 529 college savings funds to Roth?
Erik in MN is divorced, and the OC Birdman of South OC is getting divorced. Should Erik contribute to pre-tax retirement accounts or Roth? How should the Birdman and his soon-be-ex time the sale of their house and the filing of their taxes? Plus, Don has questions about the 401(k) rule of 55 and excess 529 plan college savings. Valerie in Portland wants to know what to do with her old 401(k), and how to invest her new retirement accounts. An advisor tells K-Dog in IN to save cash or open a Roth, then live on those funds and get free ACA “Obamacare” healthcare in early retirement. Is that really possible? Also, what should be Laura in WA’s sequence of retirement withdrawals, and is there any benefit to her doing Roth conversions? Should RJ in CA convert his or his wife’s rollover IRA to the top of the giant 24% tax bracket?
We understand the concerns that come with retirement, particularly the fear of running out of money, can keep you up at night. Pure’s Financial Planner, Kyle Stacey, CFP®, AIF®, provides practical strategies to navigate inflation and the rising cost of living. His aim is to help you thrive, not just survive, in retirement. He discusses: […]
Should Peter LemonJello, who has high income, and his wife, who is retired with zero income, file their taxes as married filing separately so they can start Roth conversions? What are the tax implications of Roth conversions for Randy in Chi-town, an early retiree in the 32% tax bracket? Caity (with a C) in SLC is self-employed and over the income max to contribute to a Roth, so now what? And Ben in Oceanside, CA wants to know what impact Roth conversions will have on required minimum distributions after age 73? Joe and Big Al spitball on all these Roth conversion tax reduction strategies, plus, does the math make sense on a company-matched Kai-Zen indexed universal life insurance policy for Kickass Seabass in New Jersey? Ed in Virginia wants to know the earnings limits for family Social Security benefits. But first, can JJ in Florida’s retirement portfolio handle withdrawals of $150,000 per year? And from the banks of the Mighty Mississippi, what should midwestfabs’ post-employment asset allocation be?
Your outdated, tired, set-it-and-forget-it financial plan needs a money makeover! Assumptions you make about your finances can make or break your retirement lifestyle – will it be bad or beautiful? Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA show you how setting goals, revamping your portfolio, and doing a tax turnaround can give your retirement […]
Do financial advisors have some secret blood handshake that they’ll all claim they can get 8 percent returns, but then tell their clients they can only withdraw 4 percent in retirement? Mark in Minnesota wants to know! Plus, should Matthew in Seattle quit the DIY approach to his finances and hire a fee-based financial planner? What do Joe and Big Al think about Steven in Connecticut’s “opposite of sequence of returns risk” strategy for retirement withdrawals and “bonuses”? Can listener Joe have an active and comfortable retirement at age 62? Elle in Los Angeles needs some spitballing on contributing to traditional or Roth 401k, student loans, and the potential tax benefits of paying mother-in-law for babysitting. The fellas also answer some more last-minute year-end tax questions from Chuck in Idaho and George.
Should Brian in Binghamton, New York pay off his mortgage for a guaranteed 6% return? How bad did Steve in Pittsburgh screw up his retirement, and can he afford to buy a new house away from his neighbors? Can Susan and her husband in Cape Canaveral, Florida retire in a year and a half, and should they pay off their mortgage? And how can Edith and Archie in Kansas maximize Roth conversions and factor paying off the mortgage into their retirement spending strategy? Plus, Steve and Marcia in Indiana and Florida wonder about their retirement spending, and whether they should collect Social Security now or wait until age 70. Should Sunny D in Arizona keep potential withdrawals in cash or sell investments as needed to satisfy required minimum distributions (RMDs)? We kick things off with Shelly’s voicemail about investing the proceeds from the sale of a business.
How much can you safely spend in retirement? Is the four percent rule outdated? Joe and Big Al spitball on a safe retirement distribution rate for those in the 55-60 age range for Clay in Ohio. They also spitball on withdrawal rates when there’s a pension in the mix for Johnny and June in the Bay Area of California, and for William in Maryland, who is concerned he might be exposing himself to sequence of returns risk by spending too much in early retirement. Plus, when does Dan have to take required minimum distributions from the IRA he inherited from his Dad in 2021? Finally, Wayne in San Diego wants to know how to protect his bank accounts from FedNow, the Federal Reserve’s new peer-to-peer payment system (kinda like Venmo, but not).
Do you need to pull over and ask for directions on the road to retirement? Mile Markers along the highway let you know how much you’ve traveled and how much more you’ve got to go. When it comes to retirement, those Mile Markers can let you know if you are on track to retire comfortably… […]
YMYW listener Alan feels that there are two unspoken assumptions that many different podcasters make when it comes to claiming Social Security benefits. Today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 437, Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball on those assumptions, along with safe retirement withdrawal rates before and after Social Security and pension for Rick and Jen, and a thrift savings plan (TSP) and Social Security retirement strategy for Theresa. Plus, Mark and his wife are semi-retired at 51 and 44. Are they going to run out of money? Where should Mary be saving for retirement, and how should she handle large Roth conversions before required minimum distributions (RMDs) kick in?
Joe and Big Al spitball five different retirement plans: Is Jaybird on track to retire with a decent nest egg? Should Ted and his wife use the retirement smile spending pattern and spend more early in retirement? Is it safe for Aaron to retire at age 59 and a half? How much can Karla convert to Roth for the most tax-efficient retirement withdrawal plan? LEO Jay has Roth TSP retirement strategy questions, and Lynn suggests a super-easy Roth conversion calculator – but Big Al’s got an even easier idea.
When in retirement, your priority will likely shift from earning on investments to safeguarding and preserving your savings. Pure’s Financial Planner, Annie Chen, CFP®, AIF®, points out potential withdrawal trapdoors you may stumble into during retirement. FREE GUIDE | Withdrawal Strategy Guide Transcript Once you’ve transitioned into retirement, it’s less about what you can earn […]
When you shift from saving for retirement to spending in retirement, your financial strategies need to change… but your plan for retirement withdrawals could be full of trap doors! Do you what to look out for? Trapdoors can be hard to spot – you’re moving through life thinking you have got it handled, and then […]
